13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Man convicted in slayings of 7 gets life sentence

Man convicted in slayings of 7 gets life sentence

Sandra Chapman/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - The convicted mastermind behind the city's worst mass murder will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Desmond Turner was sentenced Friday for the brutal killings of seven people, including three children.

"It's what we wanted in the first place," said Jamie Covarrubias, family member of the victims.

"It'll never be enough because our family is gone," said Maria Flores, another family member. "My children still hurt a lot. They still don't understand what happened."

Life without parole plus 88 years - that's the sentence handed down to Desmond Turner for the killings of seven members of the Albarran/Covarrubias family on June 1st, 2006. Among the dead were three children.

"This killer, this monster, a person who executes children for no reason, will never again walk the streets," said Carl Brizzi, Marion County prosecutor.

Turner had no reaction to the sentence, but for the first time, Turner spoke, telling the judge: "The truth of the murder was lost. The case was built on falsehood, lies and manipulation."

Turner claimed redemption and understanding of the sufferings of Christ. To tearful family members, he said: "I pray you find comfort for the loss of your loved ones. I'm sure it won't be today, but I pray you keep the Lord close to you."

"It hurts that he's using God's name in vain. He can't compare himself to God. There's no way," said Flores.

Finally, Turner issued a warning to the community, "The person responsible for the Hamilton Avenue killings still roams free."

"Mr. Turner is innocent. The wrong man is going to prison," said Brent Westerfeld, defense attorney. But when pressed, Westerfeld said he didn't know who committed the killings, saying, "Ask the people who live on Hamilton."

But the Albarran/Covarrubias family has no doubts about the person responsible. For 30 minutes, they gave moving accounts of their personal turmoil and pain.

Ten-year-old Jasmine Albarran was the first to face Turner. She told the judge she would never forget that night. It was the last time she saw her father alive. Another family member told the judge it takes a monster to kill a child.

Turner's family slipped out a back exit, hiding their faces. Inside court his mother wiped away tears as the victims' family members choked back their muffled cries.

"I had a glimmer of hope that he might express some remorse or offer some explanation to the family, but of course not. He is absolutely an unremorseful monster. He deserves everything he's going to get behind bars," said Brizzi.

The prosecution's attention now turns to the co-defendant James Stewart. Jury selection is expected to begin November 30th.

Related stories:

Desmond Turner sentenced to life for Hamilton Ave. killings

Desmond Turner to appeal

Court hears details of murder victims' injuries

 (Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)